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Pellow C, Pichardo S, Pike GB. A systematic review of preclinical and clinical transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation and opportunities for functional connectomics. Brain Stimul 2024; 17:734-751. [PMID: 38880207 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2024.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low-intensity transcranial ultrasound has surged forward as a non-invasive and disruptive tool for neuromodulation with applications in basic neuroscience research and the treatment of neurological and psychiatric conditions. OBJECTIVE To provide a comprehensive overview and update of preclinical and clinical transcranial low intensity ultrasound for neuromodulation and emphasize the emerging role of functional brain mapping to guide, better understand, and predict responses. METHODS A systematic review was conducted by searching the Web of Science and Scopus databases for studies on transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation, both in humans and animals. RESULTS 187 relevant studies were identified and reviewed, including 116 preclinical and 71 clinical reports with subjects belonging to diverse cohorts. Milestones of ultrasound neuromodulation are described within an overview of the broader landscape. General neural readouts and outcome measures are discussed, potential confounds are noted, and the emerging use of functional magnetic resonance imaging is highlighted. CONCLUSION Ultrasound neuromodulation has emerged as a powerful tool to study and treat a range of conditions and its combination with various neural readouts has significantly advanced this platform. In particular, the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging has yielded exciting inferences into ultrasound neuromodulation and has the potential to advance our understanding of brain function, neuromodulatory mechanisms, and ultimately clinical outcomes. It is anticipated that these preclinical and clinical trials are the first of many; that transcranial low intensity focused ultrasound, particularly in combination with functional magnetic resonance imaging, has the potential to enhance treatment for a spectrum of neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly Pellow
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada.
| | - Samuel Pichardo
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - G Bruce Pike
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
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Xu R, Bestmann S, Treeby BE, Martin E. Strategies and safety simulations for ultrasonic cervical spinal cord neuromodulation. Phys Med Biol 2024; 69:125011. [PMID: 38788727 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad506f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Objective. Focused ultrasound spinal cord neuromodulation has been demonstrated in small animals. However, most of the tested neuromodulatory exposures are similar in intensity and exposure duration to the reported small animal threshold for possible spinal cord damage. All efforts must be made to minimize the risk and assure the safety of potential human studies, while maximizing potential treatment efficacy. This requires an understanding of ultrasound propagation and heat deposition within the human spine.Approach. Combined acoustic and thermal modelling was used to assess the pressure and heat distributions produced by a 500 kHz source focused to the C5/C6 level via two approaches (a) the posterior acoustic window between vertebral posterior arches, and (b) the lateral intervertebral foramen from which the C6 spinal nerve exits. Pulse trains of fifty 0.1 s pulses (pulse repetition frequency: 0.33 Hz, free-field spatial peak pulse-averaged intensity: 10 W cm-2) were simulated for four subjects and for ±10 mm translational and ±10∘rotational source positioning errors.Main results.Target pressures ranged between 20%-70% of free-field spatial peak pressures with the posterior approach, and 20%-100% with the lateral approach. When the posterior source was optimally positioned, peak spine heating values were below 1 ∘C, but source mispositioning resulted in bone heating up to 4 ∘C. Heating with the lateral approach did not exceed 2 ∘C within the mispositioning range. There were substantial inter-subject differences in target pressures and peak heating values. Target pressure varied three to four-fold between subjects, depending on approach, while peak heating varied approximately two-fold between subjects. This results in a nearly ten-fold range between subjects in the target pressure achieved per degree of maximum heating.Significance. This study highlights the utility of trans-spine ultrasound simulation software and need for precise source-anatomy positioning to assure the subject-specific safety and efficacy of focused ultrasound spinal cord therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Xu
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Wellcome/EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sven Bestmann
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neuroscience, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bradley E Treeby
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eleanor Martin
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Wellcome/EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Atkinson-Clement C, Alkhawashki M, Ross J, Gatica M, Zhang C, Sallet J, Kaiser M. Dynamical and individualised approach of transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation effects in non-human primates. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11916. [PMID: 38789473 PMCID: PMC11126417 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62562-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) allows to alter brain functioning with a high spatial resolution and to reach deep targets. However, the time-course of TUS effects remains largely unknown. We applied TUS on three brain targets for three different monkeys: the anterior medial prefrontal cortex, the supplementary motor area and the perigenual anterior cingulate cortex. For each, one resting-state fMRI was acquired between 30 and 150 min after TUS as well as one without stimulation (control). We captured seed-based brain connectivity changes dynamically and on an individual basis. We also assessed between individuals and between targets homogeneity and brain features that predicted TUS changes. We found that TUS prompts heterogenous functional connectivity alterations yet retain certain consistent changes; we identified 6 time-courses of changes including transient and long duration alterations; with a notable degree of accuracy we found that brain alterations could partially be predicted. Altogether, our results highlight that TUS induces heterogeneous functional connectivity alterations. On a more technical point, we also emphasize the need to consider brain changes over-time rather than just observed during a snapshot; to consider inter-individual variability since changes could be highly different from one individual to another.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - James Ross
- Precision Imaging, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Marilyn Gatica
- Precision Imaging, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Chencheng Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai, China
| | - Jerome Sallet
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, Université Lyon 1, Bron, France
| | - Marcus Kaiser
- Precision Imaging, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- School of Computing Science, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Hsieh TH, Chu PC, Nguyen TXD, Kuo CW, Chang PK, Chen KHS, Liu HL. Neuromodulatory Responses Elicited by Intermittent versus Continuous Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulation of the Motor Cortex in Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5687. [PMID: 38891875 PMCID: PMC11171676 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (tFUS) has emerged as a promising neuromodulation technique that delivers acoustic energy with high spatial resolution for inducing long-term potentiation (LTP)- or depression (LTD)-like plasticity. The variability in the primary effects of tFUS-induced plasticity could be due to different stimulation patterns, such as intermittent versus continuous, and is an aspect that requires further detailed exploration. In this study, we developed a platform to evaluate the neuromodulatory effects of intermittent and continuous tFUS on motor cortical plasticity before and after tFUS application. Three groups of rats were exposed to either intermittent, continuous, or sham tFUS. We analyzed the neuromodulatory effects on motor cortical excitability by examining changes in motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). We also investigated the effects of different stimulation patterns on excitatory and inhibitory neural biomarkers, examining c-Fos and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD-65) expression using immunohistochemistry staining. Additionally, we evaluated the safety of tFUS by analyzing glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression. The current results indicated that intermittent tFUS produced a facilitation effect on motor excitability, while continuous tFUS significantly inhibited motor excitability. Furthermore, neither tFUS approach caused injury to the stimulation sites in rats. Immunohistochemistry staining revealed increased c-Fos and decreased GAD-65 expression following intermittent tFUS. Conversely, continuous tFUS downregulated c-Fos and upregulated GAD-65 expression. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that both intermittent and continuous tFUS effectively modulate cortical excitability. The neuromodulatory effects may result from the activation or deactivation of cortical neurons following tFUS intervention. These effects are considered safe and well-tolerated, highlighting the potential for using different patterns of tFUS in future clinical neuromodulatory applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Hsun Hsieh
- School of Physical Therapy, Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan; (T.X.D.N.); (C.-W.K.); (P.-K.C.)
- Neuroscience Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
- Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Po-Chun Chu
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan;
| | - Thi Xuan Dieu Nguyen
- School of Physical Therapy, Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan; (T.X.D.N.); (C.-W.K.); (P.-K.C.)
| | - Chi-Wei Kuo
- School of Physical Therapy, Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan; (T.X.D.N.); (C.-W.K.); (P.-K.C.)
| | - Pi-Kai Chang
- School of Physical Therapy, Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan; (T.X.D.N.); (C.-W.K.); (P.-K.C.)
| | - Kai-Hsiang Stanley Chen
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsinchu Branch, Hsinchu 300195, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Li Liu
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan;
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Tan R, Ma R, Chu F, Zhou X, Wang X, Yin T, Liu Z. Study on Improving the Modulatory Effect of Rhythmic Oscillations by Transcranial Magneto-Acoustic Stimulation. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2024; 32:1796-1805. [PMID: 38691431 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2024.3395641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
In hippocampus, synaptic plasticity and rhythmic oscillations reflect the cytological basis and the intermediate level of cognition, respectively. Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) has demonstrated the ability to elicit changes in neural response. However, the modulatory effect of TUS on synaptic plasticity and rhythmic oscillations was insufficient in the present studies, which may be attributed to the fact that TUS acts mainly through mechanical forces. To enhance the modulatory effect on synaptic plasticity and rhythmic oscillations, transcranial magneto-acoustic stimulation (TMAS) which induced a coupled electric field together with TUS's ultrasound field was applied. The modulatory effect of TMAS and TUS with a pulse repetition frequency of 100 Hz were compared. TMAS/TUS were performed on C57 mice for 7 days at two different ultrasound intensities (3 W/cm2 and 5 W/cm [Formula: see text]. Behavioral tests, long-term potential (LTP) and local field potentials in vivo were performed to evaluate TUS/TMAS modulatory effect on cognition, synaptic plasticity and rhythmic oscillations. Protein expression based on western blotting were used to investigate the under- lying mechanisms of these beneficial effects. At 5 W/cm2, TMAS-induced LTP were 113.4% compared to the sham group and 110.5% compared to TUS. Moreover, the relative power of high gamma oscillations (50-100Hz) in the TMAS group ( 1.060±0.155 %) was markedly higher than that in the TUS group ( 0.560±0.114 %) and sham group ( 0.570±0.088 %). TMAS significantly enhanced the synchronization of theta and gamma oscillations as well as theta-gamma cross-frequency coupling. Whereas, TUS did not show relative enhancements. TMAS provides enhanced effect for modulating the synaptic plasticity and rhythmic oscillations in hippocampus.
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Meng W, Lin Z, Lu Y, Long X, Meng L, Su C, Wang Z, Niu L. Spatiotemporal Distributions of Acoustic Propagation in Skull During Ultrasound Neuromodulation. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2024; 71:584-595. [PMID: 38557630 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2024.3383027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
There is widespread interest and concern about the evidence and hypothesis that the auditory system is involved in ultrasound neuromodulation. We have addressed this problem by performing acoustic shear wave simulations in mouse skull and behavioral experiments in deaf mice. The simulation results showed that shear waves propagating along the skull did not reach sufficient acoustic pressure in the auditory cortex to modulate neurons. Behavioral experiments were subsequently performed to awaken anesthetized mice with ultrasound targeting the motor cortex or ventral tegmental area (VTA). The experimental results showed that ultrasound stimulation (US) of the target areas significantly increased arousal scores even in deaf mice, whereas the loss of ultrasound gel abolished the effect. Immunofluorescence staining also showed that ultrasound can modulate neurons in the target area, whereas neurons in the auditory cortex required the involvement of the normal auditory system for activation. In summary, the shear waves propagating along the skull cannot reach the auditory cortex and induce neuronal activation. Ultrasound neuromodulation-induced arousal behavior needs direct action on functionally relevant stimulation targets in the absence of auditory system participation.
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Lee K, Park TY, Lee W, Kim H. A review of functional neuromodulation in humans using low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound. Biomed Eng Lett 2024; 14:407-438. [PMID: 38645585 PMCID: PMC11026350 DOI: 10.1007/s13534-024-00369-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcranial ultrasonic neuromodulation is a rapidly burgeoning field where low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS), with exquisite spatial resolution and deep tissue penetration, is used to non-invasively activate or suppress neural activity in specific brain regions. Over the past decade, there has been a rapid increase of tFUS neuromodulation studies in healthy humans and subjects with central nervous system (CNS) disease conditions, including a recent surge of clinical investigations in patients. This narrative review summarized the findings of human neuromodulation studies using either tFUS or unfocused transcranial ultrasound (TUS) reported from 2013 to 2023. The studies were categorized into two separate sections: healthy human research and clinical studies. A total of 42 healthy human investigations were reviewed as grouped by targeted brain regions, including various cortical, subcortical, and deep brain areas including the thalamus. For clinical research, a total of 22 articles were reviewed for each studied CNS disease condition, including chronic pain, disorder of consciousness, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, substance use disorder, drug-resistant epilepsy, and stroke. Detailed information on subjects/cohorts, target brain regions, sonication parameters, outcome readouts, and stimulatory efficacies were tabulated for each study. In later sections, considerations for planning tFUS neuromodulation in humans were also concisely discussed. With an excellent safety profile to date, the rapid growth of human tFUS research underscores the increasing interest and recognition of its significant potential in the field of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), offering theranostic potential for neurological and psychiatric disease conditions and neuroscientific tools for functional brain mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyuheon Lee
- Bionics Research Center, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5 Hwarangro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792 South Korea
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tae Young Park
- Bionics Research Center, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5 Hwarangro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792 South Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Wonhye Lee
- Bionics Research Center, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5 Hwarangro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792 South Korea
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Hyungmin Kim
- Bionics Research Center, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5 Hwarangro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792 South Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
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Kim S, Kwon N, Hossain MM, Bendig J, Konofagou EE. Functional ultrasound (fUS) imaging of displacement-guided focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.29.587355. [PMID: 38617295 PMCID: PMC11014490 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.29.587355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Focused ultrasound (FUS) stimulation is a promising neuromodulation technique with the merits of non-invasiveness, high spatial resolution, and deep penetration depth. However, simultaneous imaging of FUS-induced brain tissue displacement and the subsequent effect of FUS stimulation on brain hemodynamics has proven challenging thus far. In addition, earlier studies lack in situ confirmation of targeting except for the magnetic resonance imaging-guided FUS system-based studies. The purpose of this study is 1) to introduce a fully ultrasonic approach to in situ target, modulate neuronal activity, and monitor the resultant neuromodulation effect by respectively leveraging displacement imaging, FUS, and functional ultrasound (fUS) imaging, and 2) to investigate FUS-evoked cerebral blood volume (CBV) response and the relationship between CBV and displacement. We performed displacement imaging on craniotomized mice to confirm the in targeting for neuromodulation site. We recorded hemodynamic responses evoked by FUS and fUS revealed an ipsilateral CBV increase that peaks at 4 s post-FUS. We saw a stronger hemodynamic activation in the subcortical region than cortical, showing good agreement with the brain elasticity map that can also be obtained using a similar methodology. We observed dose-dependent CBV response with peak CBV, activated area, and correlation coefficient increasing with ultrasonic dose. Furthermore, by mapping displacement and hemodynamic activation, we found that displacement colocalizes and linearly correlates with CBV increase. The findings presented herein demonstrated that FUS evokes ipsilateral hemodynamic activation in cortical and subcortical depths and the evoked hemodynamic responses colocalized and correlate with FUS-induced displacement. We anticipate that our findings will help consolidate accurate targeting as well as an understanding of how FUS displaces brain tissue and affects cerebral hemodynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongyeon Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University
| | - Nancy Kwon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University
| | | | - Jonas Bendig
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University
| | - Elisa E. Konofagou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University
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Wang T, Wang M, Wang J, Li Z, Yuan Y. Modulatory effects of low-intensity retinal ultrasound stimulation on rapid and non-rapid eye movement sleep. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae143. [PMID: 38602742 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Prior investigations have established that the manipulation of neural activity has the potential to influence both rapid eye movement and non-rapid eye movement sleep. Low-intensity retinal ultrasound stimulation has shown effectiveness in the modulation of neural activity. Nevertheless, the specific effects of retinal ultrasound stimulation on rapid eye movement and non-rapid eye movement sleep, as well as its potential to enhance overall sleep quality, remain to be elucidated. Here, we found that: In healthy mice, retinal ultrasound stimulation: (i) reduced total sleep time and non-rapid eye movement sleep ratio; (ii) changed relative power and sample entropy of the delta (0.5-4 Hz) in non-rapid eye movement sleep; and (iii) enhanced relative power of the theta (4-8 Hz) and reduced theta-gamma coupling strength in rapid eye movement sleep. In Alzheimer's disease mice with sleep disturbances, retinal ultrasound stimulation: (i) reduced the total sleep time; (ii) altered the relative power of the gamma band during rapid eye movement sleep; and (iii) enhanced the coupling strength of delta-gamma in non-rapid eye movement sleep and weakened the coupling strength of theta-fast gamma. The results indicate that retinal ultrasound stimulation can modulate rapid eye movement and non-rapid eye movement-related neural activity; however, it is not beneficial to the sleep quality of healthy and Alzheimer's disease mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Wang
- School of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Rehabilitation and Neuromodulation of Hebei Province, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
| | - Mengran Wang
- School of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Rehabilitation and Neuromodulation of Hebei Province, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
| | - Jiawei Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Yi Yuan
- School of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Rehabilitation and Neuromodulation of Hebei Province, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
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Davidson B, Bhattacharya A, Sarica C, Darmani G, Raies N, Chen R, Lozano AM. Neuromodulation techniques - From non-invasive brain stimulation to deep brain stimulation. Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00330. [PMID: 38340524 PMCID: PMC11103220 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past 30 years, the field of neuromodulation has witnessed remarkable advancements. These developments encompass a spectrum of techniques, both non-invasive and invasive, that possess the ability to both probe and influence the central nervous system. In many cases neuromodulation therapies have been adopted into standard care treatments. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) are the most common non-invasive methods in use today. Deep brain stimulation (DBS), spinal cord stimulation (SCS), and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), are leading surgical methods for neuromodulation. Ongoing active clinical trials using are uncovering novel applications and paradigms for these interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Davidson
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Can Sarica
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ghazaleh Darmani
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nasem Raies
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Chen
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andres M Lozano
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Sherman J, Bortz E, Antonio ES, Tseng HA, Raiff L, Han X. Ultrasound pulse repetition frequency preferentially activates different neuron populations independent of cell type. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.25.586645. [PMID: 38585918 PMCID: PMC10996595 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.25.586645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Transcranial ultrasound activates mechanosensitive cellular signaling and modulates neural dynamics. Given that intrinsic neuronal activity is limited to a couple hundred hertz and often exhibits frequency preference, we examined whether pulsing ultrasound at physiologic pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs) could selectively influence neuronal activity in the mammalian brain. We performed calcium imaging of individual motor cortex neurons, while delivering 0.35 MHz ultrasound at PRFs of 10, 40, and 140 Hz in awake mice. We found that most neurons were preferentially activated by only one of the three PRFs, highlighting unique cellular effects of physiologic PRFs. Further, ultrasound evoked responses were similar between excitatory neurons and parvalbumin positive interneurons regardless of PRFs, indicating that individual cell sensitivity dominates ultrasound-evoked effects, consistent with the heterogeneous mechanosensitive channel expression we found across single neurons in mice and humans. These results highlight the feasibility of tuning ultrasound neuromodulation effects through varying PRFs.
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Mishima T, Komano K, Tabaru M, Kofuji T, Saito A, Ugawa Y, Terao Y. Repetitive pulsed-wave ultrasound stimulation suppresses neural activity by modulating ambient GABA levels via effects on astrocytes. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1361242. [PMID: 38601023 PMCID: PMC11004293 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1361242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound is highly biopermeable and can non-invasively penetrate deep into the brain. Stimulation with patterned low-intensity ultrasound can induce sustained inhibition of neural activity in humans and animals, with potential implications for research and therapeutics. Although mechanosensitive channels are involved, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neuromodulation by ultrasound remain unknown. To investigate the mechanism of action of ultrasound stimulation, we studied the effects of two types of patterned ultrasound on synaptic transmission and neural network activity using whole-cell recordings in primary cultured hippocampal cells. Single-shot pulsed-wave (PW) or continuous-wave (CW) ultrasound had no effect on neural activity. By contrast, although repetitive CW stimulation also had no effect, repetitive PW stimulation persistently reduced spontaneous recurrent burst firing. This inhibitory effect was dependent on extrasynaptic-but not synaptic-GABAA receptors, and the effect was abolished under astrocyte-free conditions. Pharmacological activation of astrocytic TRPA1 channels mimicked the effects of ultrasound by increasing the tonic GABAA current induced by ambient GABA. Pharmacological blockade of TRPA1 channels abolished the inhibitory effect of ultrasound. These findings suggest that the repetitive PW low-intensity ultrasound used in our study does not have a direct effect on neural function but instead exerts its sustained neuromodulatory effect through modulation of ambient GABA levels via channels with characteristics of TRPA1, which is expressed in astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Mishima
- Department of Medical Physiology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Japan
| | - Kenta Komano
- Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Marie Tabaru
- Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takefumi Kofuji
- Department of Medical Physiology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Japan
- Radioisotope Laboratory, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Japan
| | - Ayako Saito
- Department of Medical Physiology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Ugawa
- Department of Human Neurophysiology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yasuo Terao
- Department of Medical Physiology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Japan
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Hou X, Jing J, Jiang Y, Huang X, Xian Q, Lei T, Zhu J, Wong KF, Zhao X, Su M, Li D, Liu L, Qiu Z, Sun L. Nanobubble-actuated ultrasound neuromodulation for selectively shaping behavior in mice. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2253. [PMID: 38480733 PMCID: PMC10937988 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46461-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound is an acoustic wave which can noninvasively penetrate the skull to deep brain regions, enabling neuromodulation. However, conventional ultrasound's spatial resolution is diffraction-limited and low-precision. Here, we report acoustic nanobubble-mediated ultrasound stimulation capable of localizing ultrasound's effects to only the desired brain region in male mice. By varying the delivery site of nanobubbles, ultrasound could activate specific regions of the mouse motor cortex, evoking EMG signaling and limb movement, and could also, separately, activate one of two nearby deep brain regions to elicit distinct behaviors (freezing or rotation). Sonicated neurons displayed reversible, low-latency calcium responses and increased c-Fos expression in the sub-millimeter-scale region with nanobubbles present. Ultrasound stimulation of the relevant region also modified depression-like behavior in a mouse model. We also provide evidence of a role for mechanosensitive ion channels. Altogether, our treatment scheme allows spatially-targetable, repeatable and temporally-precise activation of deep brain circuits for neuromodulation without needing genetic modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuandi Hou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, 999077, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Jianing Jing
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, 999077, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Yizhou Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, 999077, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Xiaohui Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, 999077, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Quanxiang Xian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, 999077, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Ting Lei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, 999077, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Jiejun Zhu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, 999077, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
- Guangdong Institute of Intelligence Science and Technology, Hengqin, Zhuhai, 519031, Guangdong, China
| | - Kin Fung Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, 999077, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Xinyi Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, 999077, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Min Su
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, 999077, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Danni Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, 999077, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Langzhou Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, 999077, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Zhihai Qiu
- Guangdong Institute of Intelligence Science and Technology, Hengqin, Zhuhai, 519031, Guangdong, China
| | - Lei Sun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, 999077, Hong Kong SAR, PR China.
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14
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Han M, Yildiz E, Bozuyuk U, Aydin A, Yu Y, Bhargava A, Karaz S, Sitti M. Janus microparticles-based targeted and spatially-controlled piezoelectric neural stimulation via low-intensity focused ultrasound. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2013. [PMID: 38443369 PMCID: PMC10915158 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46245-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Electrical stimulation is a fundamental tool in studying neural circuits, treating neurological diseases, and advancing regenerative medicine. Injectable, free-standing piezoelectric particle systems have emerged as non-genetic and wireless alternatives for electrode-based tethered stimulation systems. However, achieving cell-specific and high-frequency piezoelectric neural stimulation remains challenging due to high-intensity thresholds, non-specific diffusion, and internalization of particles. Here, we develop cell-sized 20 μm-diameter silica-based piezoelectric magnetic Janus microparticles (PEMPs), enabling clinically-relevant high-frequency neural stimulation of primary neurons under low-intensity focused ultrasound. Owing to its functionally anisotropic design, half of the PEMP acts as a piezoelectric electrode via conjugated barium titanate nanoparticles to induce electrical stimulation, while the nickel-gold nanofilm-coated magnetic half provides spatial and orientational control on neural stimulation via external uniform rotating magnetic fields. Furthermore, surface functionalization with targeting antibodies enables cell-specific binding/targeting and stimulation of dopaminergic neurons. Taking advantage of such functionalities, the PEMP design offers unique features towards wireless neural stimulation for minimally invasive treatment of neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mertcan Han
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Erdost Yildiz
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Ugur Bozuyuk
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Asli Aydin
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Yan Yu
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Aarushi Bhargava
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Selcan Karaz
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Metin Sitti
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.
- School of Medicine and College of Engineering, Koç University, 34450, Istanbul, Türkiye.
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15
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Furukawa R, Yoshikawa T, Murakami S, Tateno T. A piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducer combined with recording electrodes for acute brain preparations in vitro. J Neurosci Methods 2024; 403:110048. [PMID: 38151186 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2023.110048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ultrasound stimulation is used to noninvasively stimulate the local and deep areas of the brain. However, the detailed cellular mechanisms of neural activation are still unclear because studies on micro-stimulation at the cellular level are lacking. NEW METHOD To modulate neural activity at the cellular level, we developed a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducer (PMUT), having circular diaphragms for application on acute brain slice preparations. To monitor neural activities, additionally, we fabricated recording microelectrodes onto the same PMUT device for closed-loop application. RESULTS To examine the PMUT-driven cellular responses of a brain slice, intracellular calcium signals in individual cells were measured using two calcium indicators. We successfully observed the intracellular responses triggered by the ultrasound of our novel PMUT. In addition, we performed recordings of local field potentials in a brain slice, demonstrating its usefulness as a simultaneous recording interface. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S) Conventional ultrasound stimulators are open-loop systems that risk inducing excessive neural activity because of the absence of neural activity monitoring. In contrast, our PMUT is packaged in a single device with both stimulation and sensor interface for neuromodulation. Further, there are no published reports on in vitro microdevices that can be used for ultrasound stimulation in rodent cortical slices that are several hundred micrometers thick, which maintain the cortical laminar structure and intrinsic neural networks. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that this novel PMUT device has the potential for being a powerful tool for in vitro brain slice applications and effective closed loop ultrasound stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Furukawa
- Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Kita 14, Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0814, Japan.
| | - Takahiro Yoshikawa
- Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Kita 14, Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0814, Japan.
| | - Shuichi Murakami
- Osaka Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, 2-7-1, Ayumino, Izumi, Osaka 594-1157, Japan.
| | - Takashi Tateno
- Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Kita 14, Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0814, Japan.
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16
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Wen Y, Lin M, Liu J, Tang J, Qi X. Low-intensity ultrasound activates transmembrane chloride flow through CFTR. Biochem Biophys Rep 2024; 37:101604. [PMID: 38188360 PMCID: PMC10767314 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2023.101604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound has been demonstrated to activate mechanosensitive channels, which is considered the main mechanism of ultrasound neuromodulation. Currently, all channels that have been shown to be sensitive to ultrasound are cation channels. In addition to cation channels, anion channels also play indispensable roles in neural function. However, there have been no research on ultrasound regulation of anion channels until now. If anion channels can be activated by ultrasound as well, they will inevitably lead to more versatility in ultrasound neuromodulation. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane transduction regulator (CFTR) has been demonstrated to be a mechanically sensitive channel, mediating anionic transmembrane flow. To identify that CFTR is sensitive to ultrasound, CFTR was exogenously expressed in HEK293T cells and was stimulated by low intensity ultrasound. Outward currents in CFTR-expressed HEK293T cells were observed by using whole-cell patch clamp when ultrasound (0.8 MHz, 0.20 MPa) was delivered to these cells. These currents were abolished when the CFTR inhibitor (GlyH101) was applied to the solution or chloride ions was cleared from the solution. Meanwhile, the amplitude of these currents increased when the CFTR agonist (Forskolin) was applied. These results suggest that ultrasound stimuli can activate the CFTR to mediate transmembrane flowing of chloride ions at the single cell level. These findings may expand the application of ultrasound in the neuromodulation field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinchuan Wen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Manjia Lin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jie Tang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofei Qi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
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17
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Meng W, Lin Z, Bian T, Chen X, Meng L, Yuan T, Niu L, Zheng H. Ultrasound Deep Brain Stimulation Regulates Food Intake and Body Weight in Mice. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2024; 32:366-377. [PMID: 38194393 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2024.3351312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Given the widespread occurrence of obesity, new strategies are urgently needed to prevent, halt and reverse this condition. We proposed a noninvasive neurostimulation tool, ultrasound deep brain stimulation (UDBS), which can specifically modulate the hypothalamus and effectively regulate food intake and body weight in mice. Fifteen-min UDBS of hypothalamus decreased 41.4% food intake within 2 hours. Prolonged 1-hour UDBS significantly decreased daily food intake lasting 4 days. UDBS also effectively restrained body weight gain in leptin-receptor knockout mice (Sham: 96.19%, UDBS: 58.61%). High-fat diet (HFD) mice treated with 4-week UDBS (15 min / 2 days) reduced 28.70% of the body weight compared to the Sham group. Meanwhile, UDBS significantly modulated glucose-lipid metabolism and decreased the body fat. The potential mechanism is that ultrasound actives pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the hypothalamus for reduction of food intake and body weight. These results provide a noninvasive tool for controlling food intake, enabling systematic treatment of obesity.
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18
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Su Z, Liu M, Yuan Y, Jiao H. Transcranial ultrasound stimulation selectively affects cortical neurovascular coupling across neuronal types and LFP frequency bands. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhad465. [PMID: 38044470 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have affirmed that transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) can influence cortical neurovascular coupling across low-frequency (0-2 Hz)/high-frequency (160-200 Hz) neural oscillations and hemodynamics. Nevertheless, the selectivity of this coupling triggered by transcranial ultrasound stimulation for spike activity (> 300 Hz) and additional frequency bands (4-150 Hz) remains elusive. We applied transcranial ultrasound stimulation to mice visual cortex while simultaneously recording total hemoglobin concentration, spike activity, and local field potentials. Our findings include (1) a significant increase in coupling strength between spike firing rates of putative inhibitory neurons/putative excitatory neurons and total hemoglobin concentration post-transcranial ultrasound stimulation; (2) an ~ 2.1-fold higher Pearson correlation coefficient between putative inhibitory neurons and total hemoglobin concentration compared with putative excitatory neurons and total hemoglobin concentration (*P < 0.05); (3) a notably greater cross-correlation between putative inhibitory neurons and total hemoglobin concentration than that between putative excitatory neurons and total hemoglobin concentration (*P < 0.05); (4) an enhancement of Pearson correlation coefficient between the relative power of γ frequency band (30-80 Hz), hγ frequency band (80-150 Hz) and total hemoglobin concentration following transcranial ultrasound stimulation (*P < 0.05); and (5) strongest cross-correlation observed at negative delay for θ frequency band, and positive delay for α, β, γ, hγ frequency bands. Collectively, these results demonstrate that cortical neurovascular coupling evoked by transcranial ultrasound stimulation exhibits selectivity concerning neuronal types and local field potential frequency bands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaocheng Su
- School of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Rehabilitation and Neuromodulation of Hebei Province, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
| | - Mengyang Liu
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Yi Yuan
- School of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Rehabilitation and Neuromodulation of Hebei Province, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
| | - Honglei Jiao
- Department of Neurology, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
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19
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Qin PP, Jin M, Xia AW, Li AS, Lin TT, Liu Y, Kan RL, Zhang BB, Kranz GS. The effectiveness and safety of low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation: A systematic review of human and animal studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 156:105501. [PMID: 38061596 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation (LITUS) is a novel non-invasive neuromodulation technique. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate current evidence on the efficacy and safety of LITUS neuromodulation. Five databases were searched from inception to May 31, 2023. Randomized controlled human trials and controlled animal studies were included. The neuromodulation effects of LITUS on clinical or pre-clinical, neurophysiological, neuroimaging, histological and biochemical outcomes, and adverse events were summarized. In total, 11 human studies and 44 animal studies were identified. LITUS demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in neurological disorders, psychiatric disorders, pain, sleep disorders and hypertension. LITUS-related changes in neuronal structure and cortical activity were found. From histological and biochemical perspectives, prominent findings included suppressing the inflammatory response and facilitating neurogenesis. No adverse effects were reported in controlled animal studies included in our review, while reversible headache, nausea, and vomiting were reported in a few human subjects. Overall, LITUS alleviates various symptoms and modulates associated brain circuits without major side effects. Future research needs to establish a solid therapeutic framework for LITUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penny Ping Qin
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Minxia Jin
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, SAR, China; Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Adam Weili Xia
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Ami Sinman Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Tim Tianze Lin
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Yuchen Liu
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Rebecca Laidi Kan
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Bella Bingbing Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Georg S Kranz
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, SAR, China; Mental Health Research Center (MHRC), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, SAR, China; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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20
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Davoudi N, Estrada H, Özbek A, Shoham S, Razansky D. Model-based correction of rapid thermal confounds in fluorescence neuroimaging of targeted perturbation. NEUROPHOTONICS 2024; 11:014413. [PMID: 38371339 PMCID: PMC10871046 DOI: 10.1117/1.nph.11.1.014413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Significance An array of techniques for targeted neuromodulation is emerging, with high potential in brain research and therapy. Calcium imaging or other forms of functional fluorescence imaging are central solutions for monitoring cortical neural responses to targeted neuromodulation, but often are confounded by thermal effects that are inter-mixed with neural responses. Aim Here, we develop and demonstrate a method for effectively suppressing fluorescent thermal transients from calcium responses. Approach We use high precision phased-array 3 MHz focused ultrasound delivery integrated with fiberscope-based widefield fluorescence to monitor cortex-wide calcium changes. Our approach for detecting the neural activation first takes advantage of the high inter-hemispheric correlation of resting state Ca 2 + dynamics and then removes the ultrasound-induced thermal effect by subtracting its simulated spatio-temporal signature from the processed profile. Results The focused 350 μ m -sized ultrasound stimulus triggered rapid localized activation events dominated by transient thermal responses produced by ultrasound. By employing bioheat equation to model the ultrasound heat deposition, we can recover putative neural responses to ultrasound. Conclusions The developed method for canceling transient thermal fluorescence quenching could also find applications with optical stimulation techniques to monitor thermal effects and disentangle them from neural responses. This approach may help deepen our understanding of the mechanisms and macroscopic effects of ultrasound neuromodulation, further paving the way for tailoring the stimulation regimes toward specific applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Davoudi
- University of Zurich, Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Zurich, Switzerland
- ETH Zurich, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Zurich, Switzerland
- ETH AI Center, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hector Estrada
- University of Zurich, Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Zurich, Switzerland
- ETH Zurich, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ali Özbek
- University of Zurich, Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Zurich, Switzerland
- ETH Zurich, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Shy Shoham
- NYU Langone Health, Neuroscience Institutes, Department of Ophthalmology and Tech4Health New York, United States
| | - Daniel Razansky
- University of Zurich, Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Zurich, Switzerland
- ETH Zurich, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Zurich, Switzerland
- ETH AI Center, Zurich, Switzerland
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21
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Hwang S, Jun SB. Ultrasound neuromodulation of cultured hippocampal neurons. Biomed Eng Lett 2024; 14:79-89. [PMID: 38186947 PMCID: PMC10769976 DOI: 10.1007/s13534-023-00314-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound is becoming an emerging and promising method for neuromodulation due to its advantage of noninvasiveness and its high spatial resolution. However, the underlying principles of ultrasound neuromodulation have not yet been elucidated. We have herein developed a new in vitro setup to study the ultrasonic neuromodulation, and examined various parameters of ultrasound to verify the effective conditions to evoke the neural activity. Neurons were stimulated with 0.5 MHz center frequency ultrasound, and the action potentials were recorded from rat hippocampal neural cells cultured on microelectrode arrays. As the intensity of ultrasound increased, the neuronal activity also increased. There was a notable and significant increase in both the spike rate and the number of bursts at 50% duty cycle, 1 kHz pulse repetition frequency, and the acoustic intensities of 7.6 W/cm2 and 3.8 W/cm2 in terms of spatial-peak pulse-average intensity and spatial-peak temporal-average intensity, respectively. In addition, the impact of ultrasonic neuromodulation was assessed in the presence of a gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor antagonist to exclude the effect of activated inhibitory neurons. Interestingly, it is noteworthy that the predominant neuromodulatory effects of ultrasound disappeared when the GABAA blocker was introduced, suggesting the potential of ultrasonic stimulation specifically targeting inhibitory neurons. The experimental setup proposed herein could serve as a useful tool for the clarification of the mechanisms underlying the electrophysiological effects of ultrasound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seoyoung Hwang
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Ewha Womans University, 52 Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03760 Republic of Korea
- Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Beom Jun
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Ewha Womans University, 52 Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03760 Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program in Smart Factory, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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22
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Lee W, Georgas E, Komatsu DE, Qin YX. Daily low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation mitigates joint degradation and pain in a post-traumatic osteoarthritis rat model. J Orthop Translat 2024; 44:9-18. [PMID: 38161708 PMCID: PMC10753057 DOI: 10.1016/j.jot.2023.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in a post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA) rat model and in vitro. Methods Thirty-eight male, four-month-old Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to Sham, Sham + US, OA, and OA + US. Sham surgery was performed to serve as a negative control, and anterior cruciate ligament transection was used to induce OA. Three days after the surgical procedures, Sham + US and OA + US animals received daily LIPUS treatment, while the rest of the groups received sham ultrasound (US) signals. Behavioral pain tests were performed at baseline and every week thereafter. After 31 days, the tissues were collected, and histological analyses were performed on knees and innervated dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons traced by retrograde labeling. Furthermore, to assess the activation of osteoclasts by LIPUS treatment, RAW264.7 cells were differentiated into osteoclasts and treated with LIPUS. Results Joint degradation in cartilage and bone microarchitecture were mitigated in OA + US compared to OA. OA + US showed improvements in behavioral pain tests. A significant increase of large soma-sized DRG neurons was located in OA compared to Sham. In addition, a greater percentage of large soma-sized innervated neurons were calcitonin gene-related peptide-positive. Daily LIPUS treatment suppressed osteoclastogenesis in vitro, which was confirmed via histological analyses and mRNA expression. Finally, lower expression of netrin-1, a sensory innervation-related protein, was found in the LIPUS treated cells. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that early intervention using LIPUS treatment has protective effects from the progression of knee OA, including reduced tissue degradation, mitigated pain characteristics, improved subchondral bone microarchitecture, and less sensory innervation. Furthermore, daily LIPUS treatment has a suppressive effect on osteoclastogenesis, which may be linked to the suppression of sensory innervation in OA. The translational potential of this article This study presents a new potential for early intervention in treating OA symptoms through the use of LIPUS, which involves the suppression of osteoclastogenesis and the alteration of DRG profiles. This intervention aims to delay joint degradation and reduce pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonsae Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Elias Georgas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - David E. Komatsu
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Yi-Xian Qin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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23
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Wang HC, Phan TN, Kao CL, Yeh CK, Lin YC. Genetically encoded mediators for sonogenetics and their applications in neuromodulation. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1326279. [PMID: 38188668 PMCID: PMC10766825 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1326279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Sonogenetics is an emerging approach that harnesses ultrasound for the manipulation of genetically modified cells. The great penetrability of ultrasound waves enables the non-invasive application of external stimuli to deep tissues, particularly advantageous for brain stimulation. Genetically encoded ultrasound mediators, a set of proteins that respond to ultrasound-induced bio-effects, play a critical role in determining the effectiveness and applications of sonogenetics. In this context, we will provide an overview of these ultrasound-responsive mediators, delve into the molecular mechanisms governing their response to ultrasound stimulation, and summarize their applications in neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-Chu Wang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Thi-Nhan Phan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Ling Kao
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Kuang Yeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chun Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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24
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Guo H, Salahshoor H, Wu D, Yoo S, Sato T, Tsao DY, Shapiro MG. Effects of focused ultrasound in a "clean" mouse model of ultrasonic neuromodulation. iScience 2023; 26:108372. [PMID: 38047084 PMCID: PMC10690554 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies on ultrasonic neuromodulation (UNM) in rodents have shown that focused ultrasound (FUS) can activate peripheral auditory pathways, leading to off-target and brain-wide excitation, which obscures the direct activation of the target area by FUS. To address this issue, we developed a new mouse model, the double transgenic Pou4f3+/DTR × Thy1-GCaMP6s, which allows for inducible deafening using diphtheria toxin and minimizes off-target effects of UNM while allowing effects on neural activity to be visualized with fluorescent calcium imaging. Using this model, we found that the auditory confounds caused by FUS can be significantly reduced or eliminated within a certain pressure range. At higher pressures, FUS can result in focal fluorescence dips at the target, elicit non-auditory sensory confounds, and damage tissue, leading to spreading depolarization. Under the acoustic conditions we tested, we did not observe direct calcium responses in the mouse cortex. Our findings provide a cleaner animal model for UNM and sonogenetics research, establish a parameter range within which off-target effects are confidently avoided, and reveal the non-auditory side effects of higher-pressure stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongsun Guo
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Hossein Salahshoor
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
- Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Di Wu
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Sangjin Yoo
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Tomokazu Sato
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Doris Y. Tsao
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Mikhail G. Shapiro
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
- Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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25
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Cornelssen C, Finlinson E, Rolston JD, Wilcox KS. Ultrasonic therapies for seizures and drug-resistant epilepsy. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1301956. [PMID: 38162441 PMCID: PMC10756913 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1301956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Ultrasonic therapy is an increasingly promising approach for the treatment of seizures and drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Therapeutic focused ultrasound (FUS) uses thermal or nonthermal energy to either ablate neural tissue or modulate neural activity through high- or low-intensity FUS (HIFU, LIFU), respectively. Both HIFU and LIFU approaches have been investigated for reducing seizure activity in DRE, and additional FUS applications include disrupting the blood-brain barrier in the presence of microbubbles for targeted-drug delivery to the seizure foci. Here, we review the preclinical and clinical studies that have used FUS to treat seizures. Additionally, we review effective FUS parameters and consider limitations and future directions of FUS with respect to the treatment of DRE. While detailed studies to optimize FUS applications are ongoing, FUS has established itself as a potential noninvasive alternative for the treatment of DRE and other neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carena Cornelssen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Eli Finlinson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - John D. Rolston
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Karen S. Wilcox
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
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26
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Badawe HM, El Hassan RH, Khraiche ML. Modeling ultrasound modulation of neural function in a single cell. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22522. [PMID: 38046165 PMCID: PMC10686887 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Low intensity ultrasound stimulation has been shown to non-invasively modulate neural function in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) with high precision. Ultrasound sonication is capable of either excitation or inhibition, depending on the ultrasound parameters used. On the other hand, the mode of interaction of ultrasonic waves with the neural tissue for effective neuromodulation remains ambiguous. New method Here within we propose a numerical model that incorporates the mechanical effects of ultrasound stimulation on the Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) neuron by incorporating the relation between increased external pressure and the membrane induced tension, with a stress on the flexoelectric effect on the neural membrane. The external pressure causes an increase in the total tension of the membrane thus affecting the probability of the ion channels being open after the conformational changes that those channels undergo. Results The interplay between varying the acoustic intensities and frequencies depicts different action potential suppression rates, whereby a combination of low intensity and low frequency ultrasound sonication proved to be the most effective in modulating neural function.Comparison with Existing Methods: Our method solely depends on the HH model of a single neuron and the linear flexoelectric effect of the dielectric neural membrane, when under an ultrasound-induced mechanical strain, while varying the ion-channels conductances based on different sonication frequencies and intensities. We study the effect of ultrasound parameters on the firing rate, latency, and action potential amplitude of a HH neuron for a better understanding of the neuromodulation modality of ultrasound stimulation (in the continuous and pulsed modes). Conclusions This simulation work confirms the published experimental data that low intensity and low frequency ultrasound sonication has a higher success rate of modulating neural firing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba M. Badawe
- Neural Engineering and Nanobiosensors Group, Biomedical Engineering Program, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rima H. El Hassan
- Neural Engineering and Nanobiosensors Group, Biomedical Engineering Program, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Massoud L. Khraiche
- Neural Engineering and Nanobiosensors Group, Biomedical Engineering Program, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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27
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Kim H, Choi Y, Kim SY, Pahk KJ. Increased intracellular diffusivity of macromolecules within a mammalian cell by low-intensity pulsed ultrasound. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2023; 100:106644. [PMID: 37844347 PMCID: PMC10587770 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Whilst a number of studies have demonstrated that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is a promising therapeutic ultrasound technique that can be used for delivering mild mechanical stimuli to target tissue non-invasively, the underlying biophysical mechanisms still remain unclear. Most mechanism studies have focused explicitly on the effects of LIPUS on the cell membrane and mechanosensitive receptors. In the present study, we propose an additional mechanism by which LIPUS propagation through living cells may directly impact intracellular dynamics, particularly the diffusion transport of biomolecules. To support our hypothesis, human epithelial-like cells (SaOS-2 and HeLa) seeded on a confocal dish placed on a microscope stage were exposed to LIPUS with various exposure conditions (ultrasound frequencies of 0.5, 1 and 3 MHz, peak acoustic pressure of 200 and 400 kPa, a pulse repetition frequency of 1 kHz and a 20 % duty cycle), and the diffusivities of various sizes of biomolecules in the cytoplasm area were measured using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). Furthermore, giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) filled with macromolecules were used to examine the physical causal relationship between LIPUS and molecular diffusion changes. Nucleocytoplasmic transport coefficients were also measured by modified FRAP that bleaches the whole cell nuclear region. Extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) activity (the phosphorylation dynamics) was monitored using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy. All the measurements were taken during, before and after the LIPUS exposure. Our experimental results clearly showed that the diffusion coefficients of macromolecules within the cell increased with acoustic pressure by 12.1 to 33.5 % during the sonication, and the increments were proportional to their molecular sizes regardless of the ultrasound frequency used. This observation in living cells was consistent with the GUVs exposed to the LIPUS, which indicated that the diffusivity increase was a passive physical response to the acoustic energy of LIPUS. Under the 1 MHz LIPUS exposure with 400 kPa, the passive nucleocytoplasmic transport of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was accelerated by 21.4 %. With the same LIPUS exposure condition, both the diffusivity and phosphorylation of ERK induced by EGF treatment were significantly elevated simultaneously, which implied that LIPUS could also modify the kinase kinetics in the signal transduction process. Taken together, this study is the first attempt to uncover the physical link between LIPUS and the dynamics of intracellular macromolecules and related biological processes that LIPUS can possibly increase the diffusivity of intracellular macromolecules, leading to the changes in the basic cellular processes: passive nucleocytoplasmic transport and ERK. Our findings can provide a novel perspective that the mechanotransduction process that the intracellular region, in addition to the cell membrane, can convert the acoustic stimuli of LIPUS to biochemical signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyojun Kim
- LAAS-CNRS, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Yeonho Choi
- Department of Bioengineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - So Yeon Kim
- Chemical and Biological Integrative Research Center, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ki Joo Pahk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea.
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Schafer SF, Croke H, Kriete A, Ayaz H, Lewin PA, von Reyn CR, Schafer ME. A Miniature Ultrasound Source for Neural Modulation. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2023; 70:1544-1553. [PMID: 37812556 PMCID: PMC10751802 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2023.3322963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
This work describes a unique ultrasound (US) exposure system designed to create very localized ( [Formula: see text]) sound fields at operating frequencies that are currently being used for preclinical US neuromodulation. This system can expose small clusters of neuronal tissue, such as cell cultures or intact brain structures in target animal models, opening up opportunities to examine possible mechanisms of action. We modified a dental descaler and drove it at a resonance frequency of 96 kHz, well above its nominal operating point of 28 kHz. A ceramic microtip from an ultrasonic wire bonder was attached to the end of the applicator, creating a 100- [Formula: see text] point source. The device was calibrated with a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane hydrophone, in a novel, air-backed, configuration. The experimental results were confirmed by simulation using a monopole model. The results show a consistent decaying sound field from the tip, well-suited to neural stimulation. The system was tested on an existing neurological model, Drosophila melanogaster, which has not previously been used for US neuromodulation experiments. The results show brain-directed US stimulation induces or suppresses motor actions, demonstrated through synchronized tracking of fly limb movements. These results provide the basis for ongoing and future studies of US interaction with neuronal tissue, both at the level of single neurons and intact organisms.
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29
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Shin DH, Son S, Kim EY. Low-Energy Transcranial Navigation-Guided Focused Ultrasound for Neuropathic Pain: An Exploratory Study. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1433. [PMID: 37891801 PMCID: PMC10605299 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13101433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuromodulation using high-energy focused ultrasound (FUS) has recently been developed for various neurological disorders, including tremors, epilepsy, and neuropathic pain. We investigated the safety and efficacy of low-energy FUS for patients with chronic neuropathic pain. We conducted a prospective single-arm trial with 3-month follow-up using new transcranial, navigation-guided, focused ultrasound (tcNgFUS) technology to stimulate the anterior cingulate cortex. Eleven patients underwent FUS with a frequency of 250 kHz and spatial-peak temporal-average intensity of 0.72 W/cm2. A clinical survey based on the visual analog scale of pain and a brief pain inventory (BPI) was performed during the study period. The average age was 60.55 ± 13.18 years-old with a male-to-female ratio of 6:5. The median current pain decreased from 10.0 to 7.0 (p = 0.021), median average pain decreased from 8.5 to 6.0 (p = 0.027), and median maximum pain decreased from 10.0 to 8.0 (p = 0.008) at 4 weeks after treatment. Additionally, the sum of daily life interference based on BPI was improved from 59.00 ± 11.66 to 51.91 ± 9.18 (p = 0.021). There were no side effects such as burns, headaches, or seizures, and no significant changes in follow-up brain magnetic resonance imaging. Low-energy tcNgFUS could be a safe and noninvasive neuromodulation technique for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hoon Shin
- Department of Neurology, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon 21565, Republic of Korea;
| | - Seong Son
- Department of Neurosurgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon 21565, Republic of Korea;
| | - Eun Young Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon 21565, Republic of Korea;
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30
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Liu T, Shi J, Fu Y, Zhang Y, Bai Y, He S, Deng W, Jin Q, Chen Y, Fang L, He L, Li Y, Yang Y, Zhang L, Lv Q, Wang J, Xie M. New trends in non-pharmacological approaches for cardiovascular disease: Therapeutic ultrasound. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2023; 33:431-440. [PMID: 35461990 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2022.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Significant advances in application of therapeutic ultrasound have been reported in the past decades. Therapeutic ultrasound is an emerging non-invasive stimulation technique. This approach has shown high potential for treatment of various disease including cardiovascular disease. In this review, application principle and significance of the basic parameters of therapeutic ultrasound are summarized. The effects of therapeutic ultrasound in myocardial ischemia, heart failure, myocarditis, arrhythmias, and hypertension are explored, with key focus on the underlying mechanism. Further, the limitations and challenges of ultrasound therapy on clinical translation are evaluated to promote application of the novel strategy in cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianshu Liu
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jiawei Shi
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yanan Fu
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yichan Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Ying Bai
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Shukun He
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Wenhui Deng
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Qiaofeng Jin
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yihan Chen
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Lingyun Fang
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Lin He
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yuman Li
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yali Yang
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Qing Lv
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Mingxing Xie
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
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Ashe J, Graf J, Madhavan R, Wallace K, Cotero V, Abate S, Pandey RK, Herzog R, Porindla SN, Shoudy D, Fan Y, Kao TJ, Puleo C. Investigation of liver-targeted peripheral focused ultrasound stimulation (pFUS) and its effect on glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a proof of concept, phase 1 trial. QJM 2023; 116:667-685. [PMID: 37243693 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcad098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mechanical waves produced by ultrasound pulses have been shown to activate mechanosensitive ion channels and modulate peripheral nerves. However, while peripheral ultrasound neuromodulation has been demonstrated in vitro and in pre-clinical models, there have been few reports of clinical tests. AIM We modified a diagnostic imaging system for ultrasound neuromodulation in human subjects. We report the first safety and feasibility outcomes in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D) mellitus and discuss these outcomes in relation to previous pre-clinical results. DESIGN The study was performed as an open label feasibility study to assess the effects of hepatic ultrasound (targeted to the porta hepatis) on glucometabolic parameters in subjects with T2D. Stimulation (peripheral focused ultrasound stimulation treatment) was performed for 3 days (i.e. 15 min per day), preceded by a baseline examination and followed by a 2-week observation period. METHODS Multiple metabolic assays were employed including measures of fasting glucose and insulin, insulin resistance and glucose metabolism. The safety and tolerability were also assessed by monitoring adverse events, changes in vital signs, electrocardiogram parameters and clinical laboratory measures. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION We report post-pFUS trends in several outcomes that were consistent with previous pre-clinical findings. Fasting insulin was lowered, resulting in a reduction of HOMA-IR scores (P-value 0.01; corrected Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Additional safety and exploratory markers demonstrated no device-related adverse impact of pFUS. Our findings demonstrate that pFUS represents a promising new treatment modality that could be used as a non-pharmaceutical adjunct or even alternative to current drug treatments in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Ashe
- General Electric (GE) Research, 1 Research Circle, Niskayuna, NY, USA
| | - J Graf
- General Electric (GE) Research, 1 Research Circle, Niskayuna, NY, USA
| | - R Madhavan
- General Electric (GE) Research, 1 Research Circle, Niskayuna, NY, USA
| | - K Wallace
- General Electric (GE) Research, 1 Research Circle, Niskayuna, NY, USA
| | - V Cotero
- General Electric (GE) Research, 1 Research Circle, Niskayuna, NY, USA
| | - S Abate
- General Electric (GE) Research, 1 Research Circle, Niskayuna, NY, USA
| | - R K Pandey
- General Electric (GE) Research, Bengaluru, India
| | - R Herzog
- Yale Endocrinology & Metabolism, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - S N Porindla
- General Electric (GE) Research, Bengaluru, India
| | - D Shoudy
- General Electric (GE) Research, 1 Research Circle, Niskayuna, NY, USA
| | - Y Fan
- General Electric (GE) Research, 1 Research Circle, Niskayuna, NY, USA
| | - T-J Kao
- General Electric (GE) Research, 1 Research Circle, Niskayuna, NY, USA
| | - C Puleo
- General Electric (GE) Research, 1 Research Circle, Niskayuna, NY, USA
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32
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Ziebell P, Rodrigues J, Forster A, Sanguinetti JL, Allen JJ, Hewig J. Inhibition of midfrontal theta with transcranial ultrasound explains greater approach versus withdrawal behavior in humans. Brain Stimul 2023; 16:1278-1288. [PMID: 37611659 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2023.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent reviews highlighted low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (TUS) as a promising new tool for non-invasive neuromodulation in basic and applied sciences. Our preregistered double-blind within-subjects study (N = 152) utilized TUS targeting the right prefrontal cortex, which, in earlier work, was found to positively enhance self-reported global mood, decrease negative states of self-reported emotional conflict (anxiety/worrying), and modulate related midfrontal functional magnetic resonance imaging activity in affect regulation brain networks. To further explore TUS effects on objective physiological and behavioral variables, we used a virtual T-maze task that has been established in prior studies to measure motivational conflicts regarding whether participants execute approach versus withdrawal behavior (with free-choice responses via continuous joystick movements) while allowing to record related electroencephalographic data such as midfrontal theta activity (MFT). MFT, a reliable marker of conflict representation on a neuronal level, was of particular interest to us since it has repeatedly been shown to explain related behavior, with relatively low MFT typically preceding approach-like risky behavior and relatively high MFT typically preceding withdrawal-like risk aversion. Our central hypothesis is that TUS decreases MFT in T-maze conflict situations and thereby increases approach and reduces withdrawal. Results indicate that TUS led to significant MFT decreases, which significantly explained increases in approach behavior and decreases in withdrawal behavior. This study expands TUS evidence on a physiological and behavioral level with a large sample size of human subjects, suggesting the promise of further research based on this distinct TUS-MFT-behavior link to influence conflict monitoring and its behavioral consequences. Ultimately, this can serve as a foundation for future clinical work to establish TUS interventions for emotional and motivational mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Ziebell
- University of Würzburg, Department of Psychology I, Marcusstr. 9-11, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Johannes Rodrigues
- University of Würzburg, Department of Psychology I, Marcusstr. 9-11, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
| | - André Forster
- University of Würzburg, Department of Psychology I, Marcusstr. 9-11, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Joseph L Sanguinetti
- University of Arizona, Department of Psychology, 1503 E. University Blvd. (Building 68), Tucson (AZ) 85721, USA.
| | - John Jb Allen
- University of Arizona, Department of Psychology, 1503 E. University Blvd. (Building 68), Tucson (AZ) 85721, USA.
| | - Johannes Hewig
- University of Würzburg, Department of Psychology I, Marcusstr. 9-11, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
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33
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Fan B, Goodman W, Cho RY, Sheth SA, Bouchard RR, Aazhang B. Computational modeling and minimization of unintended neuronal excitation in a LIFU stimulation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13403. [PMID: 37591991 PMCID: PMC10435497 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40522-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuromodulation effect of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) is highly target-specific. Unintended off-target neuronal excitation can be elicited when the beam focusing accuracy and resolution are limited, whereas the resulted side effect has not been evaluated quantitatively. There is also a lack of methods addressing the minimization of such side effects. Therefore, this work introduces a computational model of unintended neuronal excitation during LIFU neuromodulation, which evaluates the off-target activation area (OTAA) by integrating an ultrasound field model with the neuronal spiking model. In addition, a phased array beam focusing scheme called constrained optimal resolution beamforming (CORB) is proposed to minimize the off-target neuronal excitation area while ensuring effective stimulation in the target brain region. A lower bound of the OTAA is analytically approximated in a simplified homogeneous medium, which could guide the selection of transducer parameters such as aperture size and operating frequency. Simulations in a human head model using three transducer setups show that CORB markedly reduces the OTAA compared with two benchmark beam focusing methods. The high neuromodulation resolution demonstrates the capability of LIFU to effectively limit the side effects during neuromodulation, allowing future clinical applications such as treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boqiang Fan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA.
| | - Wayne Goodman
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Raymond Y Cho
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sameer A Sheth
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Richard R Bouchard
- Department of Imaging Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Behnaam Aazhang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
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Zheng H, Niu L, Qiu W, Liang D, Long X, Li G, Liu Z, Meng L. The Emergence of Functional Ultrasound for Noninvasive Brain-Computer Interface. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0200. [PMID: 37588619 PMCID: PMC10427153 DOI: 10.34133/research.0200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
A noninvasive brain-computer interface is a central task in the comprehensive analysis and understanding of the brain and is an important challenge in international brain-science research. Current implanted brain-computer interfaces are cranial and invasive, which considerably limits their applications. The development of new noninvasive reading and writing technologies will advance substantial innovations and breakthroughs in the field of brain-computer interfaces. Here, we review the theory and development of the ultrasound brain functional imaging and its applications. Furthermore, we introduce latest advancements in ultrasound brain modulation and its applications in rodents, primates, and human; its mechanism and closed-loop ultrasound neuromodulation based on electroencephalograph are also presented. Finally, high-frequency acoustic noninvasive brain-computer interface is prospected based on ultrasound super-resolution imaging and acoustic tweezers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hairong Zheng
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Lili Niu
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Weibao Qiu
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Dong Liang
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xiaojing Long
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Guanglin Li
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Integration Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Zhiyuan Liu
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Integration Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Long Meng
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
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Rivandi H, Costa TL. A 2D Ultrasound Phased-Array Transmitter ASIC for High-Frequency US Stimulation and Powering. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS 2023; 17:701-712. [PMID: 37352088 DOI: 10.1109/tbcas.2023.3288891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound (US) neuromodulation and ultrasonic power transfer to implanted devices demand novel ultrasound transmitters capable of steering focused ultrasound waves in 3D with high spatial resolution and US pressure, while having a miniaturized form factor. Meeting these requirements needs a 2D array of ultrasound transducers directly integrated with a high-frequency 2D phased-array ASIC. However, this imposes severe challenges on the design of the ASIC. In order to avoid the generation of grating lobes, the elements in the 2D phased-array should have a pitch of half of the ultrasound wavelength, which, as frequency increases, highly reduces the area available for the design of high-voltage beamforming channels. This article addresses these challenges by presenting the system-level optimization and implementation of a high-frequency 2D phased-array ASIC. The system-level study focuses on the optimization of the US transmitter toward high-frequency operation while minimizing power consumption. This study resulted in the implementation of two ASICs in TSMC 180 nm BCD technology: firstly, an individual beamforming channel was designed to demonstrate the tradeoffs between frequency, driving voltage, and beamforming capabilities. Finally, a 12-MHz pitch matched 12 × 12 phased-array ASIC working at 20-V amplitude and 3-bit phasing was designed and experimentally validated, to demonstrate high-frequency phased-array operation. The measurement results verify the phasing functionality of the ASIC with a maximum DNL of 0.35 LSB. The CMOS chip consumes 130 mW and 26.6 mW average power during the continuous pulsing and delivering 200-pulse bursts with a PRF of 1 kHz, respectively.
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Liu X, Zou D, Hu Y, He Y, Lu J. Research Progress of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound in the Repair of Peripheral Nerve Injury. TISSUE ENGINEERING. PART B, REVIEWS 2023; 29:414-428. [PMID: 36785967 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2022.0194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a common disease that has profound impact on the health of patients, but has poor prognosis. The gold standard for the treatment of peripheral nerve defects is autologous nerve grafting; notwithstanding, due to the extremely high requirement for surgeons and medical facilities, there is great interest in developing better treatment strategies for PNI. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is a noninterventional stimulation method characterized by low-intensity pulsed waves. It has good therapeutic effect on fractures, inflammation, soft tissue regeneration, and nerve regulation, and can participate in PNI repair from multiple perspectives. This review concentrates on the effects and mechanisms of LIPUS in the repair of PNI from the perspective of LIPUS stimulation of neural cells and stem cells, modulation of neurotrophic factors, signaling pathways, proinflammatory cytokines, and nerve-related molecules. In addition, the effects of LIPUS on nerve conduits are reviewed, as nerve conduits are expected to be a successful alternative treatment for PNI with the development of tissue engineering. Overall, the application advantages and prospects of LIPUS in the repair of PNI are highlighted by summarizing the effects of LIPUS on seed cells, neurotrophic factors, and nerve conduits for neural tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuling Liu
- Department of Stomatology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Derong Zou
- Department of Stomatology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinghan Hu
- Department of Stomatology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yushi He
- Shanghai Electrochemical Energy Devices Research Center, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiayu Lu
- Department of Stomatology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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Song H, Sun J, Miao P, Tong S. Vascular Response to Low-intensity Ultrasound Stimulation. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2023; 2023:1-4. [PMID: 38082927 DOI: 10.1109/embc40787.2023.10340641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Low-intensity ultrasound stimulation (LIUS) is an emerging neuro- and vascular-modulation technique. Studies on humans and animals have shown that LIUS could induce changes in neuronal oscillations or blood flow. However, it is still inconclusive whether the hemodynamic response to LIUS is due to neurovascular coupling (NVC), direct ultrasound-vessel interactions, or both. This study aims to detect the direct effect of LIUS on vessels using optical imaging. Fluorescence images with indocyanine green (ICG) were used to identify and quantify the morphological change in the auricle vessels of rats. Diameters of vessels were measured before, during, and post LIUS. The results indicated that LIUS could significantly increase the vessel diameters (p = 0.031). Further exploratory analysis showed that vessel dilation occurred among the majority of randomly selected vessels (i.e., 21/30 animals (70%), dilation: 6.84±1.95µm, 95% CI: [3.02,10.66]), with a significant confounding effect of the vessel size. The results provided indirect evidence for two distinct pathways in LIUS-based neurovascular modulation, i.e., the NVC and the direct ultrasound-vessel interactions.
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Badawe HM, Khraiche ML. Modeling of Calcium-dependent Low Intensity Low Frequency Ultrasound Modulation of a Hodgkin-Huxley Neuron. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2023; 2023:1-4. [PMID: 38083028 DOI: 10.1109/embc40787.2023.10340139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Non-invasive low intensity, low frequency ultrasound is a progressive neuromodulation approach that can reach deep brain areas with peak spatial and temporal resolution for highly-targeted diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Coupling the ultrasound mechanical effects to the neural membrane comprises different mechanisms that are, to-date, still a topic of debate. The availability of calcium ions in the extracellular medium is of high significance when it comes to the effect of ultrasound on the neural tissue. Whereby the generated calcium influx can directly affect the voltage-gated ion channels, amplifying their action. We modeled the flexoelectric-induced effects of ultrasound to a single firing neuron, taking into consideration the effect of calcium channel embedding into the neural membrane on the neuron's firing rate, latency response, peak-to-peak voltage, and general shape of the action potential.Clinical Relevance- Upon Ultrasound sonication, the mechanical waves interact with the neural membrane and alter the kinetics of the calcium channels, thus changing the neural response.
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Tsehay Y, Zeng Y, Weber-Levine C, Awosika T, Kerensky M, Hersh AM, Ou Z, Jiang K, Bhimreddy M, Bauer SJ, Theodore JN, Quiroz VM, Suk I, Alomari S, Sun J, Tong S, Thakor N, Doloff JC, Theodore N, Manbachi A. Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Neuromodulation of a Rodent's Spinal Cord Suppresses Motor Evoked Potentials. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2023; 70:1992-2001. [PMID: 37018313 PMCID: PMC10510849 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2022.3233345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Here we investigate the ability of low-intensity ultrasound (LIUS) applied to the spinal cord to modulate the transmission of motor signals. METHODS Male adult Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 10, 250-300 g, 15 weeks old) were used in this study. Anesthesia was initially induced with 2% isoflurane carried by oxygen at 4 L/min via a nose cone. Cranial, upper extremity, and lower extremity electrodes were placed. A thoracic laminectomy was performed to expose the spinal cord at the T11 and T12 vertebral levels. A LIUS transducer was coupled to the exposed spinal cord, and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were acquired each minute for either 5- or 10-minutes of sonication. Following the sonication period, the ultrasound was turned off and post-sonication MEPs were acquired for an additional 5 minutes. RESULTS Hindlimb MEP amplitude significantly decreased during sonication in both the 5- (p < 0.001) and 10-min (p = 0.004) cohorts with a corresponding gradual recovery to baseline. Forelimb MEP amplitude did not demonstrate any statistically significant changes during sonication in either the 5- (p = 0.46) or 10-min (p = 0.80) trials. CONCLUSION LIUS applied to the spinal cord suppresses MEP signals caudal to the site of sonication, with recovery of MEPs to baseline after sonication. SIGNIFICANCE LIUS can suppress motor signals in the spinal cord and may be useful in treating movement disorders driven by excessive excitation of spinal neurons.
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Karatum O, Han M, Erdogan ET, Karamursel S, Nizamoglu S. Physical mechanisms of emerging neuromodulation modalities. J Neural Eng 2023; 20:031001. [PMID: 37224804 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/acd870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
One of the ultimate goals of neurostimulation field is to design materials, devices and systems that can simultaneously achieve safe, effective and tether-free operation. For that, understanding the working mechanisms and potential applicability of neurostimulation techniques is important to develop noninvasive, enhanced, and multi-modal control of neural activity. Here, we review direct and transduction-based neurostimulation techniques by discussing their interaction mechanisms with neurons via electrical, mechanical, and thermal means. We show how each technique targets modulation of specific ion channels (e.g. voltage-gated, mechanosensitive, heat-sensitive) by exploiting fundamental wave properties (e.g. interference) or engineering nanomaterial-based systems for efficient energy transduction. Overall, our review provides a detailed mechanistic understanding of neurostimulation techniques together with their applications toin vitro, in vivo, and translational studies to guide the researchers toward developing more advanced systems in terms of noninvasiveness, spatiotemporal resolution, and clinical applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onuralp Karatum
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Mertcan Han
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Ezgi Tuna Erdogan
- Department of Physiology, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Sacit Karamursel
- Department of Physiology, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Sedat Nizamoglu
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
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41
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Delgado S, Curiel L, Li S, Pichardo S. Higher harmonics dynamic focalization in single-element ring transducers using biaxial driving. ULTRASONICS 2023; 133:107051. [PMID: 37276698 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2023.107051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Biaxial driving is a new driving technique that allows the steering of the ultrasound field generated by a single-element piezoceramic transducer. Because of their natural axisymmetric geometry, ultrasound generation with ring transducers can take advantage of the biaxial driving to change the focus of the beam generated by this type of transducer using only two driving signals. In this study, we applied the biaxial driving technique into a single-element PZT ring transducer operating at 500 kHz to produce a change in size and position of the focal spot while using the 1st (482 kHz), 3rd (1.362 MHz) and 5th (2.62 MHz) harmonic excitation. The transducer had a thickness of 2.85 mm, an inner diameter of 9.75 mm and a ring width of 2.0 mm, and two pairs of electrodes as required for biaxial driving. Simulation and experimental results showed that both the focal area and the distance at which the focal area centre was located changed as a function of the phase and power difference between the two driving signals. Experimental results showed that the focal area could be reduced from 31.6 mm2 (conventional driving) to 3.4 mm2 (89 % reduction) when using the first harmonic excitation. For the third harmonic, the focal area could be reduced from 4.0 mm2 (conventional driving) to 3.3 mm2 (17.5 % reduction). For the fifth harmonic, the focal area could be reduced from 1.7 mm2 (conventional driving) to 1 mm2 (41.7 % reduction). Results also demonstrated the centre of the focus could be displaced between 3.0 mm and 9.3 mm from the surface of the transducer when using the first harmonic, between 7.3 mm and 8.4 mm at the third harmonic, and between 4.9 mm and 8.2 mm at the fifth harmonic. The reduction in the focus area, as well as the possibility to displace the focus dynamically will be advantageous for preclinical applications of focused ultrasound, especially on drug delivery and neuromodulation studies in small rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagid Delgado
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
| | - Laura Curiel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
| | - Siyun Li
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
| | - Samuel Pichardo
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
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Arranz-Paraiso D, Baeza-Moyano D, González-Lezcano RA. Sound and Light Waves in Healthy Environments. ADVANCES IN RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL STUDIES 2023:145-162. [DOI: 10.4018/978-1-6684-6924-8.ch007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Architects need the freedom to design their projects with the assurance that they will be inspiring aesthetic as well as healthy places, i.e., buildings, streets, parks, avenues, and squares that offer a complete living experience in an environment that takes into account light, sound, vibration, climate, and all those aspects that can disturb people's well-being. We know that prolonged exposure to noise can cause discomfort and sleep disorders, which affect the quality of life. This noise is not the only pollutant as there are other sound waves such as infrasound and ultrasound that are not perceptible but potentially harmful to health. Not forgetting electromagnetic waves, the light that reaches our bodies and which has regulated our lives throughout the existence of the species. The invention of electric lighting had the consequence that people spend practically all day indoors. Days are poorly illuminated, and the nights have too much light. On the other hand, the intensity of artificial light is a fraction of that of daylight and the spectral composition is also different.
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Zanos S, Ntiloudi D, Pellerito J, Ramdeo R, Graf J, Wallace K, Cotero V, Ashe J, Moon J, Addorisio M, Shoudy D, Coleman TR, Brines M, Puleo C, Tracey KJ, Chavan SS. Focused ultrasound neuromodulation of the spleen activates an anti-inflammatory response in humans. Brain Stimul 2023; 16:703-711. [PMID: 37055009 PMCID: PMC10330863 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Focused ultrasound stimulation (FUS) activates mechanosensitive ion channels and is emerging as a method of noninvasive neuromodulation. In preclinical studies, FUS of the spleen (sFUS) activates an anti-inflammatory neural pathway which suppresses acute and chronic inflammation. However, the relevance of sFUS for regulating inflammatory responses in humans is unknown. Here, we used a modified diagnostic ultrasound imaging system to target the spleen of healthy human subjects with 3 min of continuously swept or stationary focused pulsed ultrasound, delivered at three different energy levels within allowable safety exposure limits. Potential anti-inflammatory effects of sFUS were assessed by measuring sFUS-elicited changes in endotoxin-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production in whole blood samples from insonified subjects. We found that stimulation with either continuously swept or focused pulsed ultrasound has an anti-inflammatory effect: sFUS lowers TNF production for >2 h, with TNF returning to baseline by 24 h following sFUS. This response is independent of anatomical target (i.e., spleen hilum or parenchyma) or ultrasound energy level. No clinical, biochemical, or hematological parameters are adversely impacted. This is the first demonstration that sFUS suppresses the normal inflammatory response in humans, with potential implications for noninvasive bioelectronic therapy of inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stavros Zanos
- Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA; Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, Manhasset, NY, USA; Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA.
| | - Despoina Ntiloudi
- Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - John Pellerito
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA; Department of Radiology, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Richard Ramdeo
- Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - John Graf
- General Electric (GE) Research, Niskayuna, NY, USA, 12309
| | - Kirk Wallace
- General Electric (GE) Research, Niskayuna, NY, USA, 12309
| | | | - Jeff Ashe
- General Electric (GE) Research, Niskayuna, NY, USA, 12309
| | - Jessica Moon
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA
| | - Meghan Addorisio
- Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - David Shoudy
- General Electric (GE) Research, Niskayuna, NY, USA, 12309
| | - Thomas R Coleman
- Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Michael Brines
- Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Chris Puleo
- General Electric (GE) Research, Niskayuna, NY, USA, 12309
| | - Kevin J Tracey
- Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA; Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, Manhasset, NY, USA; Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA
| | - Sangeeta S Chavan
- Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA; Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, Manhasset, NY, USA; Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA.
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Mathon B, Navarro V, Lecas S, Roussel D, Charpier S, Carpentier A. Safety Profile of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Opening in Non-epileptic Mice and in a Mouse Model of Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2023; 49:1327-1336. [PMID: 36878831 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE It is unknown whether ultrasound-induced blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption can promote epileptogenesis and how BBB integrity changes over time after sonication. METHODS To gain more insight into the safety profile of ultrasound (US)-induced BBB opening, we determined BBB permeability as well as histological modifications in C57BL/6 adult control mice and in the kainate (KA) model for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy in mice after sonication with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPU). Microglial and astroglial changes in ipsilateral hippocampus were examined at different time points following BBB disruption by respectively analyzing Iba1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity. Using intracerebral EEG recordings, we further studied the possible electrophysiological repercussions of a repeated disrupted BBB for seizure generation in nine non-epileptic mice. RESULTS LIPU-induced BBB opening led to transient albumin extravasation and reversible mild astrogliosis, but not to microglial activation in the hippocampus of non-epileptic mice. In KA mice, the transient albumin extravasation into the hippocampus mediated by LIPU-induced BBB opening did not aggravate inflammatory processes and histologic changes that characterize the hippocampal sclerosis. Three LIPU-induced BBB opening did not induce epileptogenicity in non-epileptic mice implanted with depth EEG electrodes. CONCLUSION Our experiments in mice provide persuasive evidence of the safety of LIPU-induced BBB opening as a therapeutic modality for neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bertrand Mathon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sorbonne University, APHP, La Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France; Paris Brain Institute, ICM, INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Paris, France; Sorbonne University, GRC 23, Brain Machine Interface, APHP, La Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France; Advanced Surgical Research Technology Lab, Sorbonne University, Paris, France.
| | - Vincent Navarro
- Paris Brain Institute, ICM, INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Paris, France; Epileptology Unit, Department of Neurology, Sorbonne University, APHP, La Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Sarah Lecas
- Paris Brain Institute, ICM, INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Delphine Roussel
- Paris Brain Institute, ICM, INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Charpier
- Paris Brain Institute, ICM, INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Carpentier
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sorbonne University, APHP, La Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France; Sorbonne University, GRC 23, Brain Machine Interface, APHP, La Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France; Advanced Surgical Research Technology Lab, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
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董 舒, 谢 振, 王 星, 袁 毅. [Modulation of motor responses and neural activities with transcranial ultrasound stimulation based on closed-loop control]. SHENG WU YI XUE GONG CHENG XUE ZA ZHI = JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING = SHENGWU YIXUE GONGCHENGXUE ZAZHI 2023; 40:265-271. [PMID: 37139757 PMCID: PMC10162911 DOI: 10.7507/1001-5515.202205052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Closed-loop transcranial ultrasound stimulation technology is based on real-time feedback signals, and has the potential for precise regulation of neural activity. In this paper, firstly the local field potential (LFP) and electromyogram (EMG) signals of mice under different intensities of ultrasound stimulation were recorded, then the mathematical model of ultrasound intensity and mouse LFP peak/EMG mean was established offline based on the data, and the closed-loop control system of LFP peak and EMG mean based on PID neural network control algorithm was simulated and built to realize closed-loop control of LFP peak and EMG mean of mice. In addition, using the generalized minimum variance control algorithm, the closed-loop control of theta oscillation power was realized. There was no significant difference between the LFP peak, EMG mean and theta power under closed-loop ultrasound control and the given value, indicating a significant control effect on the LFP peak, EMG mean and theta power of mice. Transcranial ultrasound stimulation based on closed-loop control algorithms provides a direct tool for precise modulation of electrophysiological signals in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- 舒寻 董
- 燕山大学 电气工程学院(河北秦皇岛 066004)School of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066004, P. R. China
| | - 振宇 谢
- 燕山大学 电气工程学院(河北秦皇岛 066004)School of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066004, P. R. China
| | - 星冉 王
- 燕山大学 电气工程学院(河北秦皇岛 066004)School of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066004, P. R. China
| | - 毅 袁
- 燕山大学 电气工程学院(河北秦皇岛 066004)School of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066004, P. R. China
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Zhao Z, Ji H, Zhang C, Pei J, Zhang X, Yuan Y. Modulation effects of low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation on the neuronal firing activity and synaptic plasticity of mice. Neuroimage 2023; 270:119952. [PMID: 36805093 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.119952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) has been effective in modulating several neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, how TUS modulates neuronal firing activity and synaptic plasticity remains unclear. Thus, we behaviorally tested the whisker-dependent novel object discrimination ability in mice after ultrasound stimulation and examined the cortical neuronal firing activity and synaptic plasticity in awake mice after ultrasound stimulation by two-photon fluorescence imaging. The current study presented the following results: (1) TUS could significantly improve the whisker-dependent new object discrimination ability of mice, suggesting that their learning and memory abilities were significantly enhanced; (2) TUS significantly enhanced neuronal firing activity; and (3) TUS increased the growth rate of dendritic spines in the barrel cortex, but did not promote the extinction of dendritic spines, resulting in enhanced synaptic plasticity. The above results indicate that TUS can improve the learning and memory ability of mice and enhance the neuronal firing activity and synaptic plasticity that are closely related to it. This study provides a research basis for the application of ultrasound stimulation in the treatment of learning- and memory-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Zhao
- School of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China; Key Laboratory of Intelligent Rehabilitation and Neuromodulation of Hebei Province, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
| | - Hui Ji
- Department of Neurology, Hebei Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Cong Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Hebei Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Jiamin Pei
- School of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China; Key Laboratory of Intelligent Rehabilitation and Neuromodulation of Hebei Province, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
| | - Xiangjian Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Hebei Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China.
| | - Yi Yuan
- School of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China; Key Laboratory of Intelligent Rehabilitation and Neuromodulation of Hebei Province, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China.
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Lu H, Wang X, Lou X. Current applications for magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023; 136:780-787. [PMID: 36914938 PMCID: PMC10150909 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a novel and minimally invasive technology. Since the US Food and Drug Administration approved unilateral ventral intermediate nucleus-MRgFUS for medication-refractory essential tremor in 2016, studies on new indications, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), psychiatric diseases, and brain tumors, have been on the rise, and MRgFUS has become a promising method to treat such neurological diseases. Currently, as the second most common degenerative disease, PD is a research hotspot in the field of MRgFUS. The actions of MRgFUS on the brain range from thermoablation, blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening, to neuromodulation. Intensity is a key determinant of ultrasound actions. Generally, high intensity can be used to precisely thermoablate brain targets, whereas low intensity can be used as molecular therapies to modulate neuronal activity and open the BBB in conjunction with injected microbubbles. Here, we aimed to summarize advances in the application of MRgFUS for the treatment of PD, with a focus on thermal ablation, BBB opening, and neuromodulation, in the hope of informing clinicians of current applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoxuan Lu
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing 100853, China
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xin Lou
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing 100853, China
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Kuhn T, Spivak NM, Dang BH, Becerra S, Halavi SE, Rotstein N, Rosenberg BM, Hiller S, Swenson A, Cvijanovic L, Dang N, Sun M, Kronemyer D, Berlow R, Revett MR, Suthana N, Monti MM, Bookheimer S. Transcranial focused ultrasound selectively increases perfusion and modulates functional connectivity of deep brain regions in humans. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1120410. [PMID: 37091318 PMCID: PMC10114286 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1120410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundLow intensity, transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) is a re-emerging brain stimulation technique with the unique capability of reaching deep brain structures non-invasively.Objective/HypothesisWe sought to demonstrate that tFUS can selectively and accurately target and modulate deep brain structures in humans important for emotional functioning as well as learning and memory. We hypothesized that tFUS would result in significant longitudinal changes in perfusion in the targeted brain region as well as selective modulation of BOLD activity and BOLD-based functional connectivity of the target region.MethodsIn this study, we collected MRI before, simultaneously during, and after tFUS of two deep brain structures on different days in sixteen healthy adults each serving as their own control. Using longitudinal arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI and simultaneous blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional MRI, we found changes in cerebral perfusion, regional brain activity and functional connectivity specific to the targeted regions of the amygdala and entorhinal cortex (ErC).ResultstFUS selectively increased perfusion in the targeted brain region and not in the contralateral homolog or either bilateral control region. Additionally, tFUS directly affected BOLD activity in a target specific fashion without engaging auditory cortex in any analysis. Finally, tFUS resulted in selective modulation of the targeted functional network connectivity.ConclusionWe demonstrate that tFUS can selectively modulate perfusion, neural activity and connectivity in deep brain structures and connected networks. Lack of auditory cortex findings suggests that the mechanism of tFUS action is not due to auditory or acoustic startle response but rather a direct neuromodulatory process. Our findings suggest that tFUS has the potential for future application as a novel therapy in a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with subcortical pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Kuhn
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Taylor Kuhn,
| | - Norman M. Spivak
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- UCLA-Caltech Medical Scientist Training Program, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Bianca H. Dang
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Sergio Becerra
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Sabrina E. Halavi
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Natalie Rotstein
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Benjamin M. Rosenberg
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Sonja Hiller
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Andrew Swenson
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Luka Cvijanovic
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Nolan Dang
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Michael Sun
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States
| | - David Kronemyer
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Rustin Berlow
- American Brain Stimulation Clinic, Del Mar, CA, United States
| | - Malina R. Revett
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Nanthia Suthana
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Martin M. Monti
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Susan Bookheimer
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Huang Q, Zhu W, Gao X, Liu X, Zhang Z, Xing B. Nanoparticles-mediated ion channels manipulation: From their membrane interactions to bioapplications. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 195:114763. [PMID: 36841331 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Ion channels are transmembrane proteins ubiquitously expressed in all cells that control various ions (e.g. Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Cl- etc) crossing cellular plasma membrane, which play critical roles in physiological processes including regulating signal transduction, cell proliferation as well as excitatory cell excitation and conduction. Abnormal ion channel function is usually associated with dysfunctions and many diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders, ophthalmic diseases, pulmonary diseases and even cancers. The precise regulation of ion channels not only helps to decipher physiological and pathological processes, but also is expected to become cutting-edge means for disease treatment. Recently, nanoparticles-mediated ion channel manipulation emerges as a highly promising way to meet the increasing requirements with respect to their simple, efficient, precise, spatiotemporally controllable and non-invasive regulation in biomedicine and other research frontiers. Thanks the advantages of their unique properties, nanoparticles can not only directly block the pore sites or kinetics of ion channels through their tiny size effect, and perturb active voltage-gated ion channel by their charged surface, but they can also act as antennas to conduct or enhance external physical stimuli to achieve spatiotemporal, precise and efficient regulation of various ion channel activities (e.g. light-, mechanical-, and temperature-gated ion channels etc). So far, nanoparticles-mediated ion channel regulation has shown potential prospects in many biomedical fields at the interfaces of neuro- and cardiovascular modulation, physiological function regeneration and tumor therapy et al. Towards such important fields, in this typical review, we specifically outline the latest studies of different types of ion channels and their activities relevant to the diseases. In addition, the different types of stimulation responsive nanoparticles, their interaction modes and targeting strategies towards the plasma membrane ion channels will be systematically summarized. More importantly, the ion channel regulatory methods mediated by functional nanoparticles and their bioapplications associated with physiological modulation and therapeutic development will be discussed. Last but not least, current challenges and future perspectives in this field will be covered as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiwen Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface & Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Weisheng Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface & Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Xiaoyin Gao
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface & Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Xinping Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Zhijun Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface & Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China.
| | - Bengang Xing
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637371, Singapore.
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Blackmore DG, Razansky D, Götz J. Ultrasound as a versatile tool for short- and long-term improvement and monitoring of brain function. Neuron 2023; 111:1174-1190. [PMID: 36917978 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
Treating the brain with focused ultrasound (FUS) at low intensities elicits diverse responses in neurons, astroglia, and the extracellular matrix. In combination with intravenously injected microbubbles, FUS also opens the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and facilitates focal drug delivery. However, an incompletely understood cellular specificity and a wide parameter space currently limit the optimal application of FUS in preclinical and human studies. In this perspective, we discuss how different FUS modalities can be utilized to achieve short- and long-term improvements, thereby potentially treating brain disorders. We review the ongoing efforts to determine which parameters induce neuronal inhibition versus activation and how mechanoreceptors and signaling cascades are activated to induce long-term changes, including memory improvements. We suggest that optimal FUS treatments may require different FUS modalities and devices, depending on the targeted brain area or local pathology, and will be greatly enhanced by new techniques for monitoring FUS efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G Blackmore
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Daniel Razansky
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Götz
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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